Passenger Vessel News Roundup | May 1 – Cruise ships for China and Egypt, Russian hydrofoil ferry and more
Construction continues on a new large Ro-Pax for Japanese inter-island routes, a Russian hydrofoil commuter ferry, and cruise ships for operation in China and Egypt. A Bulgarian yard secures a ferry order from a local company.
Japan's Shinnihonkai Ferry christens new large Ro-Pax
Japan's Shinnihonkai Ferry and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding held a christening and launching ceremony for a new Ro-Pax ferry at Mitsubishi's Shimonoseki shipyard on Tuesday, April 29.
Keyaki is the first of two ferries to be built for Shinnihonkai Ferry and Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency. It will be the ninth vessel to be built by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding for Shinnihonkai Ferry and is scheduled for delivery in December 2025.
China's second locally built cruise ship floated out
China's Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding launched a new cruise ship into the water for the first time on Monday, April 28.
The 141,900GT Adora Flora City will be operated by Adora Cruises, a joint venture formed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation and US-based cruise company Carnival Corporation. She is a sister ship of Adora Magic City, which was handed over to the same operator in late 2023.
Bulgarian municipal operator orders ferry from local builder
Bulgarian shipbuilder Galera 07 has been selected for the construction of a new ferry that will serve the municipality of Beloslav.
The vessel will be operated by Belferry, the company responsible for providing ferry services in Beloslav. Upon completion, it will have a capacity of 230 passengers and up to 40 vehicles.
Russian yard floats out hydrofoil commuter ferry
Russian ship design and construction firm Alexeev's Hydrofoil Design Bureau launched a new commuter hydrofoil ferry into the water at its Nizhny Novgorod facilities on Tuesday, April 22.
Petr Stolypin honours a former Prime Minister of the Russian Empire who had also served as Governor of Saratov Oblast, where the new ferry will be operated primarily. The vessel will be the second Project 23180 hydrofoil ferry to enter service in Saratov.
Viking's newest river cruise ship for Egypt hits the water
US-based Viking Cruises has confirmed the launch of its newest river cruise ship for operations in Egypt.
The 82-guest Viking Amun is a near-identical sister of Viking Osiris, Viking Hathor, and Viking Sobek. The ship is under construction at the Cairo facilities of Egyptian company The Arab Contractors.
